“Appropriate referrals will be made to Australian Federal Police as the lead agency concerning prohibited symbols.”

Victoria’s Opposition Leader John Pesutto issued a statement on Sunday night calling for action on the matter, saying his coalition would continue to stand against antisemitism.

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“Victorians will be deeply disturbed by displays of support for listed terrorist organisation, Hezbollah, across Melbourne and Sydney,” Pesutto said.

“Publicly displaying the symbols of a listed terrorist organisation is a crime, as is inciting violence on the basis of religious belief. Neither must ever be tolerated in Victoria.

“The Allan Labor government, along with Victoria Police and the commonwealth government have a responsibility to ensure the safety and freedom of all Victorians who are entitled to go about their lives free from fear and persecution.”

Rallies in solidarity with Gaza have been held weekly in Melbourne for much of the past year.

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“You stand with Lebanon, you stand with Palestine,” Omar Hassan, from Victorian Socialists, told fellow protesters.

“I want to say that it is a dark day for the people of the Middle East, and it’s a dark day here in Melbourne ... but there are reasons to be cheerful and optimistic and hopeful.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke threatened to consider cancelling visas for people supporting such groups.

“Any indication of support for a terrorist organisation is unequivocally condemned,” Burke said in a statement on Sunday.

“It draws the immediate attention of our security agencies.

“There is a higher level of scrutiny if anyone is on a visa.

“I have made clear from day one, that I will consider refusing and cancelling visas for anyone who seeks to incite discord in Australia.”

Some attendees stood under umbrellas with the colours of the Palestinian flag and the protest slogan “free Palestine from the river to the sea” around the edge.

Darebin protester Margaret, who did not wish for her full name to be used, said she had attended many of the protests and was glad to come out despite the rain.

“I would have never imagined we’d still be doing this, but we have to, that’s all we can do,” she said.

With AAP

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